What's going on Rock Nation, today we welcome Duncan Heger! Duncan is a commercial and documentary filmmaker with a focus on storytelling that connects with today’s audiences. From working with Will Ferrell, to creating impactful content for brands like the American Red Cross, Duncan combines tradition with a modern, social-first approach. His work is not just seen - it’s felt and remembered, making a meaningful impression whether on the NFL’s big stage or a coveted film festival.

Check out Duncan here:

https://www.instagram.com/duncanheger/

https://www.duncanheger.com/

You definitely need to cop some Lexar Memory Cards and Portable SSDs:

Lexar ARMOR 700 Portable SSD: https://bit.ly/4ckNVhz

Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II SD Card GOLD: https://bit.ly/3KHgSbM

Lexar Professional CFexpress Type A Card GOLD: https://bit.ly/3XpUICt

Lexar Professional CFexpress Type A / SD USB 3.2 Gen 2 Reader: https://bit.ly/3Vda36k

The Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative Services

Coupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the boulders

https://courses.thecreatorcoach.com/pricing-guide

Collab with Artlist and get 2 extra months for free here:

https://artlist.io/artlist-70446?artlist_aid=the505podcast_2970&utm_source=affiliate_p&utm_medium=the505podcast_2970&utm_campaign=the505podcast_2970

Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/xgEAzkqAvs

Kostas’ Amazon Storefront:

https://amzn.to/3GhId25

15% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15

https://bit.ly/42sNdej

COP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE:

https://courses.thecreatorcoach.com/BFIGGYSFXPACK

Timestamps:

0:00 - Trailer

1:48 - Intro

3:25 - One Handed Crack

4:56 - Gettired Hired to Direct Will Ferrell

6:52 - Explaining a Tech Scout

7:43 - The Process of Working with a Writer

10:12 - “Messi is going to shit his pants when he sees this”

10:58 - LAFC X Will Ferrell Spot

12:38 - The Lighting Setup

13:19 - Gear Used for the LAFC X Will Ferrell spot

13:33 - Lexar

15:07 - Location of LAFC X Will Ferrell spot

15:31 - Duncan’s role in set design

16:54 - Fangirling over Will Ferrell

18:00 - What it’s like to Direct Will Ferrell

19:42 - How Duncan got his start with filmmaking

20:54 - Working with people who are more talented than you

22:12 - Duncan’s Pre-Production process

23:55 - Outsourcing work as a Director

25:20 - How Duncan started working with Stadium

28:21 - Reviewing a Director’s Treatment

29:24 - Duncan’s Inspo Database

30:02 - How Danny makes his Director’s Treatments

30:38 - Most important pieces for a Director’s Treatment

33:01- More about Director Treatment

34:05 - Director Treatment Approach

35:37 - Look and Feel

35:42 - How Duncan got into Documentary Filmmaking

37:18 - Script

39:05 - Advice for conducting interviews

41:14 - Director Treatment: Location

42:21 - Knowing when to fight for creative ideas as a Director

44:12 - Why Martin Scorsese is the GOAT

44:42 - What Duncan has pulled from other sets he’s been on

49:35 - Director’s Treatment: Cinematography & Edit

50:47 - Explaining a Director’s Cut

53:21 - Duncan’s role in the editing process as a Director

54:50 - What Duncan would have changed in the LAFC x Will Ferrell spot

56:45 - Breaking down a Director’s Reel

59:50 - Why Thumbnails are so important

1:00:45 - How important Social Media is to Duncan as a Director

1:04:30 - Directing Jared Leto

1:05:50- Improving with Will Ferrell

1:06:33 - What hard skills Directors need to know

1:09:18 - Personal goals Duncan has for Directing

1:09:49 - How the Film Festival Circuit works

1:12:00 - Most important crew members for a set

1:13:16 - Duncan’s preference in cinematography styles

1:13:59 - How to become repped by a production company

1:15:24 - How a Director wins work

1:20:17 - How working with Stadium helped Duncan as a Director

1:22:33 - Advice to your 18 year old self

If you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on.

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@kostasgarcia/featured

DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!)

Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/

Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/

Chase: https://www.instagram.com/chaseronii/

TikTok:

Bfiggy: https://www.tiktok.com/bfiggy/

Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/